How to get the smell out of your books - A Meeting of Minds

Becky · Jan 17 2007, 12:04 AM

I turned on the tv after my evening workout and it was on a collecting channel that I had been watching last nite. Lo and behold! There was a book collecting show on!!! It was the top 20 book collecting tips. Mostly there were tips for collecting Hemmingway and Steinbeck types of books, but there were a few general book collecting tips and when I heard that the number 4 tip was how to get smell out of books I was glue to the set!!

****You will need two plastic tubs and some kitty litter. Yes, I said kitty litter! You put about an inch of litter into a large-ish tub that has a lid that snaps on. You then put the book, just lay it closed, in the smaller tub. Do not put a lid on the smaller tub that holds the book. Put the small tub inside the larger tub, just sitting it on top of the litter. Put the lid on the larger tub and let sit for about a month.****

So I plan on doing just that! I've got a few books that could use some of this type of treatment.

Not many, thank goodness.

ALSO - another tip was to use any gentle leather conditioner, like you would use on a leather purse or jacket, on your leather books. And, surprisingly, to HANDLE your leather books. The oils in your hands help condition the leather too. Oh, once a year use the leather conditioner on your books, a light coat rubbed in.

SuzyQ · Jan 17 2007, 12:45 AM

You learn some of the neatest stuff! I might have to give that a try as well. (you know the story - bought a book online, it arrived and it reeked of smoke - as a non-smoker that is the worst!) It does make a lot of sense though...

Becky · Jan 17 2007, 02:39 AM

SuzyQ - there have been some chat about how to get smell out of books, but no one had any really safe ideas. I'm soooo glad I caught this episode.

Oh, and I forgot the had a bag of Fresh Step litter. So that's the one I'll be buying!

makenzie71 · Jan 17 2007, 07:04 AM

...or you can dust the book with baking soda and blow it out...or do what I do and take care of the books to begin with.

(yes I'm an ass)

edith · Jan 17 2007, 08:41 AM

yep but if you buy a book second hand you can't guarante it to be smoke free- I check if I'm in a book shop but no-one's invented a way to sniff over the internet yet!
I just leave my books to desmell!

Becky · Jan 17 2007, 10:52 AM

I've got a couple of books that no matter how long I've let them stand to air they still smell of smoke. So this trick will hopefully help to finally get rid of that smell once and for all. (fingers crossed)

Kath · Jan 17 2007, 11:13 AM

Just make sure the cat doesn't find it...

Anareth · Jan 17 2007, 12:31 PM

I would, instead of kitty litter (because of the silica dust) suggest, really--just do the same thing only with a big box of store-brand baking soda. That's what a lot of litters use anyway, it's cheaper, and it really does get smells out of ANYTHING. I used about two cups' worth to get the stench out of a fridge unit that had failed and risen to 80 degrees F over night, with raw meat in it. (No, it was not pretty. But the baking soda turned the trick.)

Lady Maelin · Jan 17 2007, 04:09 PM

Anareth, that's a great idea with the baking soda. I can't use the litter because of the dust in it...but I always have tons of baking soda around for cleaning purposes. I will try a combination of both your baking soda trick and Becky's trays to get the smoke smell out of my recent purchases.

Thanks to Becky and Anareth for the suggestions....

for both of you

Brenda · Jan 19 2007, 05:44 PM

I would definitely try the technique of putting the baking soda/kitty litter in a tray and having the book in a container in the tray with a lid on the big tray, before you start filling the book itself with baking soda!

Lady Maelin · Jan 20 2007, 12:16 AM

Brenda, I don't think it's a very good idea to put the baking soda on the pages of the book you could damage the pages that way. I think you just want the book above the baking soda in it's own container inside a larger container, so the book isn't touching it.

edith · Jan 20 2007, 07:39 AM

what about on of those fridge eggs- they contain charcoal I think but they're self contained si you stick it in a tupperware box with the book!

**Cheryl** · Jan 20 2007, 09:42 AM

I would think anything with good odor absorbing qualities that doesn't need to be in contact with the book has good potential with the tub method.

Lady Maelin · Jan 20 2007, 08:32 PM

Cheryl, Yes I certainly agree... for me the baking soda is a good bet, because it has no dust for me to deal with.

Brenda · Jan 21 2007, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Maelin

Brenda, I don't think it's a very good idea to put the baking soda on the pages of the book you could damage the pages that way. I think you just want the book above the baking soda in it's own container inside a larger container, so the book isn't touching it.

I know, that's what I said!

Quote:

I would definitely try the technique of putting the baking soda/kitty litter in a tray and having the book in a container in the tray with a lid on the big tray...

Quote:

...before you start filling the book itself with baking soda!

I was responding to mackenzie!

Quote:

...or you can dust the book with baking soda and blow it out...

Lady Maelin · Jan 21 2007, 07:54 PM

Brenda, Sorry I misunderstood you.

Brenda · Jan 27 2007, 06:50 PM

No big deal

Becky · Feb 4 2007, 11:03 PM

I finally got a couple of plastic boxes and some baking soda (rather than the cat litter) and have put two books and two sf magazines in to be de-smellified. Early March I'll remove them and let you all know if they are smell free.

I sure hope this works because I've got several magazines and a few books that could use this treatment.

Jan 17 2007, 12:04 AM	#1
Becky Coelura Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington Gender: F Fan of: Fav character - Lunzie Now Reading: Love reading Lanen's books too	How to get the smell out of your books I turned on the tv after my evening workout and it was on a collecting channel that I had been watching last nite. Lo and behold! There was a book collecting show on!!! It was the top 20 book collecting tips. Mostly there were tips for collecting Hemmingway and Steinbeck types of books, but there were a few general book collecting tips and when I heard that the number 4 tip was how to get smell out of books I was glue to the set!! **You will need two plastic tubs and some kitty litter. Yes, I said kitty litter! You put about an inch of litter into a large-ish tub that has a lid that snaps on. You then put the book, just lay it closed, in the smaller tub. Do not put a lid on the smaller tub that holds the book. Put the small tub inside the larger tub, just sitting it on top of the litter. Put the lid on the larger tub and let sit for about a month.** So I plan on doing just that! I've got a few books that could use some of this type of treatment. Not many, thank goodness. ALSO - another tip was to use any gentle leather conditioner, like you would use on a leather purse or jacket, on your leather books. And, surprisingly, to HANDLE your leather books. The oils in your hands help condition the leather too. Oh, once a year use the leather conditioner on your books, a light coat rubbed in. __________________ Becky aka Coelura1

Jan 17 2007, 12:45 AM	#2
SuzyQ Inactive Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oregon Gender: F Fan of: Talents Now Reading: Need more time!	Re: How to get the smell out of your books You learn some of the neatest stuff! I might have to give that a try as well. (you know the story - bought a book online, it arrived and it reeked of smoke - as a non-smoker that is the worst!) It does make a lot of sense though...

Jan 17 2007, 02:39 AM	#3
Becky Coelura Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington Gender: F Fan of: Fav character - Lunzie Now Reading: Love reading Lanen's books too	Re: How to get the smell out of your books SuzyQ - there have been some chat about how to get smell out of books, but no one had any really safe ideas. I'm soooo glad I caught this episode. Oh, and I forgot the had a bag of Fresh Step litter. So that's the one I'll be buying! __________________ Becky aka Coelura1

Jan 17 2007, 07:04 AM	#4
makenzie71 Inactive Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: TX Gender: M Fan of: Ruth... Now Reading: Writing The Fall of the Order	Re: How to get the smell out of your books ...or you can dust the book with baking soda and blow it out...or do what I do and take care of the books to begin with. (yes I'm an ass) Last edited by makenzie71; Jan 17 2007 at 07:05 AM. Reason: I am not a cynic, I am an ass...according to Webster.

Jan 17 2007, 08:41 AM	#5
edith Dragonrider Weyrwoman Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Delft Gender: F Fan of: Most of them :) Now Reading: Don't You Have Time To Think- RP Feynman	Re: How to get the smell out of your books yep but if you buy a book second hand you can't guarante it to be smoke free- I check if I'm in a book shop but no-one's invented a way to sniff over the internet yet! I just leave my books to desmell!

Jan 17 2007, 10:52 AM	#6
Becky Coelura Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington Gender: F Fan of: Fav character - Lunzie Now Reading: Love reading Lanen's books too	Re: How to get the smell out of your books I've got a couple of books that no matter how long I've let them stand to air they still smell of smoke. So this trick will hopefully help to finally get rid of that smell once and for all. (fingers crossed) __________________ Becky aka Coelura1

Jan 17 2007, 11:13 AM	#7
Kath Starsmith Weyrwoman Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oop North Fan of: Moreta	Re: How to get the smell out of your books Just make sure the cat doesn't find it...

Jan 17 2007, 12:31 PM	#8
Anareth Journeywoman Healer Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Here and There Gender: F Fan of: Pern, Ship Series Now Reading: Girl Genius (read it!)	Re: How to get the smell out of your books I would, instead of kitty litter (because of the silica dust) suggest, really--just do the same thing only with a big box of store-brand baking soda. That's what a lot of litters use anyway, it's cheaper, and it really does get smells out of ANYTHING. I used about two cups' worth to get the stench out of a fridge unit that had failed and risen to 80 degrees F over night, with raw meat in it. (No, it was not pretty. But the baking soda turned the trick.) __________________ Read "Strange Roads" Keep the Heat on for Book 3

Jan 17 2007, 04:09 PM	#9
Lady Maelin Master Artist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Gender: F Fan of: Pern,The Ship Who Sang Now Reading: Anne's Pern EVERYTHING !	Re: How to get the smell out of your books Anareth, that's a great idea with the baking soda. I can't use the litter because of the dust in it...but I always have tons of baking soda around for cleaning purposes. I will try a combination of both your baking soda trick and Becky's trays to get the smoke smell out of my recent purchases. Thanks to Becky and Anareth for the suggestions.... for both of you __________________ "To the Horsehead Nebula and back we shall make beautiful music"..."Together!" The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression,and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cut out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived........Howard Pyle

Jan 19 2007, 05:44 PM	#10
Brenda Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis Gender: F	Re: How to get the smell out of your books I would definitely try the technique of putting the baking soda/kitty litter in a tray and having the book in a container in the tray with a lid on the big tray, before you start filling the book itself with baking soda! __________________ . Check out my Pern fiction! Mirrim's Vigil News from the Weyr Missing Link Dragonsong: An Alternate Tune Ghost in the Tunnels Changes at Riverbend Hold Pern Songs

Jan 20 2007, 12:16 AM	#11
Lady Maelin Master Artist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Gender: F Fan of: Pern,The Ship Who Sang Now Reading: Anne's Pern EVERYTHING !	Re: How to get the smell out of your books Brenda, I don't think it's a very good idea to put the baking soda on the pages of the book you could damage the pages that way. I think you just want the book above the baking soda in it's own container inside a larger container, so the book isn't touching it. __________________ "To the Horsehead Nebula and back we shall make beautiful music"..."Together!" The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression,and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cut out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived........Howard Pyle

Jan 20 2007, 07:39 AM	#12
edith Dragonrider Weyrwoman Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Delft Gender: F Fan of: Most of them :) Now Reading: Don't You Have Time To Think- RP Feynman	Re: How to get the smell out of your books what about on of those fridge eggs- they contain charcoal I think but they're self contained si you stick it in a tupperware box with the book!

Jan 20 2007, 09:42 AM	#13
Cheryl Master Archivist Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Maryland, USA Gender: F Fan of: Pern! Now Reading: Paladin of Souls (Bujold)	Re: How to get the smell out of your books I would think anything with good odor absorbing qualities that doesn't need to be in contact with the book has good potential with the tub method. __________________ Visit one of the other sites of Cheryl's Anne McCaffrey Triad: Sariel's Guide to Pern: a detailed guide to the series The Many Works of Anne McCaffrey: largest fan site about Anne and ALL of her works McCaffrey Quest: annual trivia contest.

Jan 20 2007, 08:32 PM	#14
Lady Maelin Master Artist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Gender: F Fan of: Pern,The Ship Who Sang Now Reading: Anne's Pern EVERYTHING !	Re: How to get the smell out of your books Cheryl, Yes I certainly agree... for me the baking soda is a good bet, because it has no dust for me to deal with. __________________ "To the Horsehead Nebula and back we shall make beautiful music"..."Together!" The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression,and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cut out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived........Howard Pyle

Jan 21 2007, 07:54 PM	#16
Lady Maelin Master Artist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Gender: F Fan of: Pern,The Ship Who Sang Now Reading: Anne's Pern EVERYTHING !	Re: How to get the smell out of your books Brenda, Sorry I misunderstood you. __________________ "To the Horsehead Nebula and back we shall make beautiful music"..."Together!" The stories of childhood leave an indelible impression,and their author always has a niche in the temple of memory from which the image is never cut out to be thrown on the rubbish heap of things that are outgrown and outlived........Howard Pyle

Jan 27 2007, 06:50 PM	#17
Brenda Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: St. Louis Gender: F	Re: How to get the smell out of your books No big deal __________________ . Check out my Pern fiction! Mirrim's Vigil News from the Weyr Missing Link Dragonsong: An Alternate Tune Ghost in the Tunnels Changes at Riverbend Hold Pern Songs

Feb 4 2007, 11:03 PM	#18
Becky Coelura Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Washington Gender: F Fan of: Fav character - Lunzie Now Reading: Love reading Lanen's books too	Re: How to get the smell out of your books I finally got a couple of plastic boxes and some baking soda (rather than the cat litter) and have put two books and two sf magazines in to be de-smellified. Early March I'll remove them and let you all know if they are smell free. I sure hope this works because I've got several magazines and a few books that could use this treatment. __________________ Becky aka Coelura1

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